Dutch Water Expertise Finds a Home in Mexico: Tackling Wastewater with Dutch Clean Tech
By: Mark Charles Felstead
Investor Relations at Dutch Clean Tech
Dutch water know-how, long considered the gold standard in global water management, is making waves in Latin America. In a move that highlights the Netherlands’ leadership in sustainable water solutions, Dutch Clean Tech—an innovative company from Heerhugowaard—is working alongside the Dutch government and local authorities in Mexico to deliver a groundbreaking environmental project in the state of Quintana Roo.
The collaboration was recently cemented in a high-level meeting between Governor Mara Lezama of Quintana Roo and Wilfred Mohr, the Ambassador of the Netherlands to Mexico. At the center of discussions was Dutch Clean Tech’s proposal for a Comprehensive Sanitation and Circular Economy Center, aimed at solving two of the region’s most pressing environmental challenges: the ever-growing threat of sargassum invasions and the urgent need for modernized wastewater treatment infrastructure in the Cancun Hotel Zone.
Dutch Clean Tech CEO Jacob Alexander Pielkenrood and his team presented state officials with an integrated plan that includes the design, financing, construction, and operation of three new wastewater treatment plants, combined with an advanced biodigestion facility for processing sargassum and organic waste into biomethane—a renewable energy source.
As Quintana Roo’s Secretary of Ecology and Environment Óscar Rébora explained, the goal is to provide a long-term, sustainable solution to environmental issues that directly impact both the local economy and the millions of tourists who flock to the region’s beaches every year. “This project addresses the massive arrival of sargassum and the cleanup of wastewater generated in Cancun. It’s not just about infrastructure—it’s about resilience,” he said.
This isn’t an isolated effort. Dutch Clean Tech has just concluded a successful mission across Mexico and Guatemala, meeting with governors, ministers, and city planners. According to CEO Sander Pielkenrood, these meetings have led to agreements and project plans worth more than $150 million. “This week proved that the brand ‘Made in the NL’ still has real value,” he said. “The Netherlands is known worldwide for its water expertise, and that reputation opened many doors.”
While Dutch Clean Tech may be a relatively young company—founded just three years ago—it is a spin-off of the family-owned Pielkenrood company, which boasts over 60 years of experience in the water treatment sector. This deep-rooted heritage, paired with a modern and nimble approach, gives Dutch Clean Tech a unique edge in tackling water crises in some of the world’s most water-stressed regions.
What sets Dutch Clean Tech apart is its innovative financing model. Rather than relying on slow and complex institutional funding, the company has established a private investment fund that allows individuals to directly support water infrastructure projects. This “eco-tech meets fintech” approach has made it possible to deploy clean water solutions quickly—something that is critically needed in countries where untreated sewage still flows freely into rivers, lakes, and oceans.
As Pielkenrood puts it, “Let’s not forget, 80% of the world’s wastewater is discharged untreated. That cannot continue. Finally, we are seeing real political will to change this—and Dutch Clean Tech is ready to lead.”
The project in Quintana Roo is more than just a local initiative—it’s a template for how international cooperation, technological innovation, and private capital can come together to solve global water challenges. And as the Dutch government continues to back these trade agreements and strategic partnerships in Mexico, one thing is clear: Dutch water know-how isn’t just leading the way—it’s setting the standard for a cleaner, more sustainable future.
